The country has been sharply divided after Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation by Senate, hailed as a victim of left wing conspiracy by the Republicans and the president, and as a right wing extension of the GOP agenda by the Democrats. I had mentioned on my post last week that FBI investigation aside, the verdict for me was in after his testimony.

Here are the 6 lessons learned from this whole process.

1. Accusation of sexual assault needs to meet the standards of the criminal court. Dr. Christine Blaise Ford’s testimony fell way short of a proof beyond a reasonable shadow of doubt. While it is true that a person is innocent until proven otherwise, but this has not been a standard for those running for public office, or being nominated for the highest court in the nation- until now.2. Judicial temperament, or lack thereof, is no barrier to being a Supreme Court judge. His frequent outburst and appearing as an angry man at the senate judiciary committee- no problem, a non-issue as far as those who voted him in.

3. The nation is deeply divided along party line. How can you watch the same exact testimonies and the proceeds and come to totally different conclusions based on your party affiliation?4. The two parties are using Brett Kavanaugh to score political points. Republicans are pretty much confirming that they don’t see allegations of sexual assault the same way as most others do. Senate Democrat leaders, including Senator Feinstein, kept reading from scripted commentaries and missed out on the fact that besides the legalities of sexual misconduct allegations, Kavanaugh’s testimony and his demeanor was a disgrace, regardless of the truth behind the allegations. They did not make it as part of their basis for opposing his nomination- a critical mistake as far as I am concerned.5. Lying under oath is not a problem if you are being considered for Supreme Court judge. Kavanaugh lied many times, including his drinking under age. He drank as a junior high school in 1982 when the legal age in the state was 18, and he was under 18 at the time. Drinking history as a teenager regardless of the legal age- no problem either.6. Impartiality as a Supreme Court judge is no longer a criteria or consideration for a Supreme Court judge. Wild accusations without providing any evidence are totally fine. How else can you hear this statement from Kavanaugh and still vote him in as a supposedly impartial bench?

This whole two-week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hit fueled with apparent pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election, fear that has been unfairly stoked about my judicial record, revenge on behalf of the Clintons and millions of dollars in money from outside, left-wing opposition groups. This is a circus.